Team Member Recognition

Team Member of the Month: June 2026

Team members who step in at a moment’s notice and maintain a positive outlook are the kind of people you want on your team. June’s DMH Team Member of the Month continues to foster a supportive work environment and keep team morale high.

Administrative Support Clerk, Michelle Hutchason, originally started her career with Fulton State Hospital as a group home aide and then joined the Hearnes Forensic Center team. While working in Environmental Services, she stepped in without hesitation to help fill a gap at the switchboard. 

“Michelle collaborated quickly with team members to redistribute responsibilities and maintained a positive attitude throughout the shift,” said a co-worker.  “Michelle is someone we can always rely on; what truly sets her apart is her kindness, compassion and team-first mindset.”

The FSH team says that Michelle makes a difference in team morale, consistently going above and beyond to offer support and assist others without being asked. 

“She brings a level of care and kindness that impacts both coworkers and visitors alike,” a team member also said. “She sets a strong example for the entire team.”

After 25 years with FSH, Michelle is planning to spend her last two years before retirement providing excellent service at the switchboard. Well done, Michelle. Congratulations!

Team Member of the Month: May 2026

Ensuring success during times of change takes dedication and collaboration. Department-wide, the DMH team has been working diligently on the Electronic Health Records (EHR) project, CHARTe (Comprehensive Health and Record Tracking.) When Go-Live dates were fast approaching, the Northwest Community Services (NWCS) team says that their successful EHR transition process would not have been possible without the strong leadership of Staff Development Manager, Elizabeth Ahrens.

“Elizabeth went above and beyond in helping NWCS as a whole in preparing for the CHARTe transition,” said the NWCS team. 

NWCS said Elizabeth led her team in a “Log-In Fair,” ensuring that staff and their equipment would be ready for the Go-Live date; checking that laptops and software were working and guiding staff in navigating Powerchart and Care Tracker Mobile.

“Elizabeth’s guidance and team approach helped with Go-Live support for 2 weeks. Visiting homes, doing rounds, working long hours, fielding phone calls, answering questions. They did EHR training on top of their regular duties to ensure all staff were trained on how to use the new system. They really stepped up.”

The NWCS team says while implementing EHR and CHARTe has been a collaborative effort with many people within DMH, NWCS particularly owes the success they've had in their CHARTe transition to Liz and her team.

“Without Elizabeth’s efforts it would have been a lot harder for NWCS staff, and the organization as a whole. They’ve been go-getters, always available to help, and have been a vocal part of making sure things are taken care of and done right.”

Elizabeth has been with Northwest Community Services for 14 years. Congratulations, Elizabeth! Well done.

Team Member of the Month: April 2026

New perspectives, when combined with initiative, can make all the difference in providing effective training for staff and quality care to the individuals DMH serves. Rolla Satellite Office has one team member in particular who has demonstrated the positive impact that a new perspective can have. Over the last several months, Missy Thompson’s team says that she has flourished in her relatively new role as a Quality Program RN (QPRN). 

In less than a year, Missy's team says she has not only become proficient in her role but has greatly contributed to the positive culture of the Rolla Satellite Office while handling challenges head-on as the team has experienced recent changes resulting from retirements.  

“Missy made it a priority to meet with her retiring co-QPRN often, ensuring that the transition ahead would be as efficient as possible. We know she will be a wonderful mentor to our new QPRN.”

During her time at Rolla Satellite Office, Missy’s contributions to training discussions have also aided in implementing a streamlined process for their Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) training. Missy’s team says that their HRST training process used to take 180 days of onboarding for new QPRNs. 

“Missy was one of the first nurses to go through this training as a new QPRN. She was vocal about the 180 days of training being too long, limiting the quality of review that we were providing to the individuals served,” said Missy’s team. 

With the help of Missy and other QPRNs’ insights, the Rolla Satellite team says their HRST training process has become much more efficient and now takes between 2 and 3 weeks to be completed, allowing new QPRNS to utilize the HRST to serve individuals much faster than before.

“Missy taking the initiative to speak up when a process was inefficient, especially as a newer team member, is a big reason why we want her to be recognized for this,” her team said.

Missy has now been with DMH for a year. Well done, Missy. Congratulations!

Team Member of the Month: March 2026

As soon as Harley Loper went through new employee orientation as a Support Care Assistant at Southwest Community Services (SWCS), the team knew she would be a great asset to their Individual Supported Living program. 

Harley’s team recalls noticing her patience, dedication, and compassion right away. Harley’s fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) is a great asset, helping staff more effectively communicate with individuals SWCS serves whose main form of communication is ASL. 

“One particular individual gets frustrated easily when staff members are unable to communicate,” said one co-worker. “If Harley is working, she can have a conversation with him, which makes everyone’s day go smoother and avoids his frustrations and behaviors.”

Harley is also a patient and effective teacher. Another resident wanted to learn to play his new guitar, and Harley stepped up.  After 30 minutes, the aspiring musician learned the proper hand placement and chords for his new instrument. After his lesson, the individual was ecstatic to show everyone the new song he learned.

Fellow staff say, “The level of care she provides our individuals is one to be modeled throughout our program, and her willingness to learn more is unmatched. We tell our employees to be lifelong learners, and she is a prime example of that.”

Harley has been with SWCS for a year and a half. Congratulations, Harley. Well done

Team Member of the Month: February 2026

When new systems and procedures are implemented at DMH, it can present opportunities for staff to rise to the challenge. One DMH Central Office team member in particular has been tackling a new system head on and providing department-wide support.

Over the last 15 months, Kerry Branch, Accountant Supervisor in the Division of Administrative Services, has been leading the way in DMH’s efforts to implement the new financial system Missouri Vital Enterprise Resource System (MOVERS). When Kerry joined the MOVERS project team to test the system’s functionality, she dedicated time to teach herself. With MOVERS being integrated among various functional areas, Kerry found herself learning new skills outside of her normal duties to support other DMH staff as they learned to navigate the new system together. Kerry organized and led desk efforts and assisted facility staff to work on their readiness too, even setting up one-on-one trainings for those who needed it. 

“Never did she say, ‘that is not my job,’ she jumped right in and learned about these other areas,” said one of Kerry’s team members. 

Interacting with a wide range of fiscal employees across DMH, Kerry’s team also said her patience and understanding was deeply appreciated and praised by the many of the staff she assisted.

Kerry helped DMH become a leading department in MOVERS implementation readiness. She continuously looks for ways to support these efforts and is truly committed to DMH’s success.

Kerry has been with DMH for over seven years, and the state for seventeen years. Congratulations, Kerry. Well done!

Team Member of the Month: January 2026

Maintaining a safe and healthy facility is always a top priority for DMH staff. Daily operations can present their own challenges, but when an unexpected event occurs in a facility, it’s team members that go above and beyond that make all the difference in ensuring the safety of their team and the people they serve.

When Center for Behavioral Medicine (CBM) experienced flooding in one of their units, Custodial Supervisor, Christopher Murphy, rose to the challenge to ensure that the affected unit could be safely reopened for CBM patients and staff. Christopher’s team recalled the extensive restorative work that he put in, working extra hours to ensure the unit could be reopened on time. 

“When the unit flooded, Chris found out what kind of flooring would be used for the unit. He then found the proper way to finish the flooring, found the special wax for it and took the time to apply and buff all the new flooring. Then Chris took the time to strip and rewax every patient room, exam room, and office to make sure the unit was completely redone.” 

CBM’s leadership team notes that Christopher has also selflessly applied his skills to CBM’s machinery, making several repairs and saving funds for the facility. 

In addition to his invaluable handiwork, Christopher’s team says that his positive attitude is infectious and that he is a great supervisor, often working alongside his team or holding additional training sessions to ensure his environmental services team knows how to safely operate machinery. 

Well done, Christopher. Congratulations!

Team Member of the Month: December 2025

Being able to react quickly in an emergency is an important skill for a Support Care Professional to have, and in some cases, it can be lifesaving for the individuals DMH serves. December’s Team Member of the Month is Chad Walker, a Support Care Professional at Northwest Community Services (NWCS) who recently saved an individual’s life.

His nomination explained there “was an individual who grabbed some food that wasn’t theirs and it caused them to choke. Chad sprang into action doing abdomen thrusts and saved this individual’s life. He never panicked and never wavered. He did what we all hope we would do when this type of emergency happens.”

During his many years at NWCS, Chad has always been an integral part of his team. In his supervisory role, his coworkers not only note his strong leadership but his genuine compassion for staff and the individuals they serve.

“Chad Walker is very dependable, said a fellow team member. “He would never ask to be recognized. However, the people he works with can think of no one more deserving than him. The difference he makes each day is impossible to ignore.”

Chad has worked for DMH and has been a loyal NWCS team member for over 30 years. Thank you for the decades of dedication to your team and the DMH clients. Congratulations!

Team Member of the Month: November 2025

The art of being a good trainer is incredibly important. Not only to teach hands-on skills but to help build confidence within team members to ensure the safety and livelihood of the individuals DMH serves.  The November Team Member of the Month has truly honed the craft of training according to his co-workers.  Joshua Paul is a Staff Development Training Specialist for Southeast Missouri Residential Services in Sikeston and Poplar Bluff. 

Joshua approaches each New Employee Orientation (NEO) with empathy, putting himself in the shoes of every new hire. His goal is to prepare them not just for the job, but for the realities they may face in any home, on any day. From Safety Care to American Red Cross training, Joshua ensures every detail is covered; often coordinating back-to-back sessions and juggling recertifications for staff across both the Sikeston and Poplar Bluff facilities.

He has worn many hats throughout his years with DMH and each one has been marked by dedication, humility, and a deep commitment to the mission of DMH. Joshua steps into every situation with no expectation of recognition—just a desire to do the job well. He responds to crisis situations without hesitation, whether leading the response or offering support, always understanding the weight of the moment and what it means for the individuals.

A co-worker shared that Joshua is a mentor to many, a go-to for advice, and a steady presence for those with questions or concerns. His colleagues speak of him with admiration, noting his tireless work ethic, his quiet leadership, and his unwavering commitment to DMH and the people we serve.

Joshua has worked for DMH for 13 years and is a veteran of the United States Army.  Thank you for your service.

Team Member of the Month: October 2025

Having a trusted and knowledgeable role model in a DMH facility that staff can turn to when challenges arise can make all the difference for both patients and the team.

Fulton State Hospital (FSH) staff commends October Team Member of the Month, Forensic Rehabilitation Specialist (FRS III), Larry Rivers, for his advocacy for patients and staff alike, continuously providing knowledge and input for improving client care and workplace morale.

FSH team members express their gratitude for Larry’s “open door policy,” and feel at ease turning to him for guidance about the Sex Offender Rehabilitation and Treatment Services (SORTS) program, as well as hospital policies and procedures. Larry has selflessly given his time, coming in early or staying late; even returning after leaving for the day to mentor or coach staff, assist with patient issues, or to help when unexpected occurrences arise. Larry also put in a tremendous amount of time helping prepare for the Joint Commission and did excellent work while they were in SORTS.

Larry’s coworkers say, “He remains calm but can work quickly in situations that arise while maintaining a high level of professionalism. He volunteers to do anything he can to help his co-workers including in Nixon Forensic Center and Hearnes Forensic Center.”.

Larry has worked at FSH for 9 years and is the Supervisor Security Support Care Assistant for the SORTS program. Well done and congratulations, Larry!

Team Member of the Month: September 2025

Some of the individuals DMH serves have very challenging behaviors. At times, these behaviors can lead to physical confrontations with staff and other patients. The DMH Team Member of the Month has a unique ability to connect with patients, even in the most difficult circumstances.  Chelsea Schneider is a Registered Nurse (RN) at Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center.  She recently stepped in to help with a patient who had assaulted staff multiple times.  Chelsea treated the patient with respect, patience, and empathy, and quickly brought the situation under control.  Her composure and confidence reassured other patients and the staff that everything was going to be okay.

Chelsea is said to treat all patients with dignity and compassion, regardless of their behavior, which illustrates her exceptional professionalism.

One co-worker said, “As a relatively newer RN, with just over two years of experience, she demonstrates grace under pressure which inspires her peers to approach challenges in the same way. Chelsea's readiness to support her colleagues and uplift those who are struggling brings stability to the unit.”

Well done, Chelsea. Congratulations!